Exploration and novel experiences are critical aspects of the TSW philosophy. We all have untapped passions removed from our grasp only by lack of experience. Imagine a current passion removed from your life if you hadn’t had that first engaging experience. And now imagine what other potential passion is currently untapped. For shame. You can’t imagine it because you haven’t yet experienced it.
Even within our existing passions we often leave potential doors shut through intentional avoidance or passive omission. So I am proposing TheSnowWay.com Challenge: ski three “new to you” ski areas this coming season. A bucket full of bonus points if you make personal sacrifices or travel great distances to make it happen. Still more bonus points if you can link them all into one epic trip. Ultimate bonus points if you grab a friend and double the novelty through shared experience.
Being a fan of “lesser known areas that rock”, I am going to propose a few such lists. Magic, Burke, and Saddleback combine to form a triangle of the best lesser known ski areas in their respective states. I’ve also combined what I consider to be the three best lesser known areas by state for Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Or make up your own list. Go nuts. Go for five new areas. Go for one. Just go for something novel. Your favorite area might just be one that you have never skied.
- Magic, Burke, & Saddleback for NNE
- Ragged, Balsams, & Black for NH
- Magic, Burke, & Middlebury for VT
- Black, Abram, & Saddleback for ME
- Make up your own challenge list
My list? Sutton, Orford, and Owl’s Head: an Eastern Township Trifecta. One long weekend, three new areas. Not necessarily in the “lesser known areas that rock” category for Quebec but certainly in that category for those of us stateside.
So get out there and try something new. Experience something different and foreign. Put yourself into an uncomfortable and vulnerable state. Open yourself to the novel and push your boundaries. Be it skiing or otherwise. Especially otherwise. But start with skiing if nothing else. Nothing is worse than stagnation.
5 thoughts on “TheSnowWay.com Challenge”
Very cool idea. I had some great new experiences this past season, Hickory, Jay Peak, The Slides and the North Creek Ski Bowl. Maybe the last two “don’t count” as new ski areas, but they did to me. There is nothing like the Slides, and, for me, the Ski Bowl was like skiing in a NY ski museum.
One thing they all had in common, except for Jay, they weren’t far out of my way. This season it’s going to be tougher to find new hills to ski, that I really want to ski. Windham and Jiminy Peak would be possible, but I don’t feel compelled the way I was drawn to places like Hickory and Plattekill. For three – my best shot looks to be Sugarbush, Mad River, and a player to be named later.
Great challenge. I might have to join you for that Eastern Township trifecta!
Nice, from_the_NEK! That would be awesome!
I accept the challenge — I was thinking I have done the majority of the ones high on my todo list — but reading your lists, I still see some new ones in my future.
Mt Abram, Wildcat, Black, Balsams and Sunapee have all been elusive to me!
Pick three and make it happen, Jerry! Abram, Wildcat, and Black are all North Conway locality. Make a long weekend and go for a trifecta, nice!